By Alexandra Angel

One of the things I get the most positive comments on are my fingernails. Few things will get you read faster than a set of ìpress-onî nails that are poorly fitted, and too narrow for the typical male nailbed. I have a set of custom, sculpted acrylic nails that I reuse again, and again. I am a dentist, so I made mine myself but any nail salon that makes entirely sculpted nails could make a set for you. Hereís what you need to tell them:

First, these nails are entirely sculpted acrylic, and do NOT incorporate glue-on tips during fabrication. This may add slightly to the cost, but the amount should not be significant for something you can reuse for many months, if treated properly.

Do NO nailbed preparation prior to fabrication, other than usual manicure steps of pushing back the cuticles, trimming hangnails, etc. The important thing here is to not roughen, prime, or otherwise do anything to enhance the bond between the nailbed and the acrylic. We WANT the acrylic to peel off the nailbed at the end of the appointment. Something most nail technicians will have nightmares about.

Coat the nailbed thoroughly with petroleum jelly, Vaseline, before layering on the acrylic. When I first tried this, I was worried about the nail coming off before I was finished with the filing and shaping. Believe me, that is not a problem. Even with the Vaseline coating, getting the nail off at the end of the appointment can sometimes still be a challenge.

Once the Vaseline is applied, begin the acrylic layering, shaping, filing, smoothing, etc. This stage is almost exactly the same as usual, with the possible exception that the nails are made a little thicker to withstand the pressures of prying them off. If the nail cracks or breaks during removal, it was too thin. Just repair the crack, add a little more acrylic thickness for strength, and try again.

Once the nails have hardened and been polished in the desired color, use a very small eyeglass/jewelers screwdriver to pry them off. Carefully work it between the acrylic and the nailbed, starting at a corner and using a push, gentle twist, push motion. The nail should ìpeelî off easily with no damage to the acrylic or the nailbed.

The nails can be reattached using ìQuik-Stikî press-on tabs by ìFingírsî, available at WalMart, Walgreenís, etc. For the strong at heart, and nail, you can also use a very small drop of nail glue in the center of the nail to reattach them. DISCLAIMER, DISCLAIMER, DISCLAIMER!!!! If you use too large a drop of glue, the nailbed and/or acrylic will be damaged in removal! This hurts like crazy, and you will make this mistake only once! I use a drop just larger than the head of a pin, but you will need to adjust this according to the brand of glue, and length of nail. Once you get the hang of it, they can be safely used again, and again.

About every third time or so, you will need to remove the buildup of glue, and nail remnants from the inside of the acrylic. I delicately use a Dremel tool for this, but any small rotary tool will work. You can buy these at almost any hardware store, or ask your manicurist where they get theirs.

The nails can be repolished at the salon, just like the real thing, or you can do it at home if you have ìthe touchî.

Have fun, and know that even the GGs will be envious of your beautiful nails.

Alexandra

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